AI Replaces Jobs for 20% of U.S. Full-Time Workers, New Survey Reveals

Apr 10, 2026, 2:41 AM

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A recent survey from Epoch AI, in partnership with Ipsos, reveals that AI has started replacing parts of jobs for 20% of full-time workers in the United States. This finding underscores the increasing integration of artificial intelligence into the workplace, as nearly half of American adults reported using AI for work or personal tasks in the past week.

The survey, conducted from March 3 to 5 and involving 2,000 respondents, found that while AI has automated certain tasks, approximately 15% of full-time workers have begun performing new tasks that they would not have undertaken without AI tools. This reflects a significant shift in job responsibilities due to technological advancements.

Caroline Falkman Olsson, a lead researcher at Epoch AI, emphasized the need for more detailed studies to fully understand how AI is reshaping work tasks. "We need to figure out how people's actual workplaces and work tasks are changing," Olsson stated. The survey's results confirmed expectations around AI's dual role in both augmenting and automating work, which raises important questions for future workforce dynamics.

Experts warn that the trend of job replacement may be accelerating. Nicholas Miailhe, an AI policy leader, remarked that when one in five workers reports AI replacing aspects of their jobs, it points to real-time labor market restructuring. "The fact that replacement seems to be outpacing augmentation should draw our attention," he noted, suggesting that policymakers may need to act quickly to address these changes.

The survey revealed that about half of the American adults who used AI at work relied on personal subscriptions or free versions of AI services rather than those provided by their employers. This indicates a potential disconnect between organizational resources and employee usage of technology.

AI agents, capable of performing independent tasks, were found to have low engagement rates, with only 8% of AI users employing them in the past week. This contrasts sharply with the 49% of users who utilized AI systems for basic tasks like web searching. As the industry continues to evolve, the adoption of these more sophisticated AI tools may grow.

The implications of AI on the labor market are profound. Economists from Goldman Sachs estimate that AI technology is eliminating approximately 16,000 jobs each month due to both automation and augmentation. Their March report suggested that AI could automate tasks consuming around 25% of all work hours, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these workforce changes.

The survey results reflect a broader trend observed in other studies, including a report by edX, which found that executives believe significant portions of their roles could be automated. Notably, 49% of CEOs indicated that they think "most" or "all" of their jobs could be entirely replaced by AI, highlighting a stark contrast between executive and worker perceptions regarding the impact of AI on employment.

Despite the concern over job displacement, the survey also points to a shift in how employees view their work roles. Many are adapting by taking on new tasks enabled by AI technologies, suggesting that while some jobs may vanish, new opportunities may arise as well. This duality of AI's impact—replacement versus augmentation—will likely shape the future job landscape significantly.

As AI continues to evolve, organizations must consider how to integrate these technologies effectively while also preparing their workforce for the changes ahead. The need for reskilling and development in AI competencies is becoming increasingly critical, as both employees and employers navigate this transformative period in the labor market.

In conclusion, the findings from the Epoch AI survey serve as both a warning and a call to action. With 20% of workers experiencing AI-related job displacement, it is crucial for policymakers, businesses, and employees to collaborate on strategies that leverage AI's benefits while addressing its disruptive potential in the workforce.

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